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2019 Prius Hybrid 11.6 in Screen Apply Carplay or Android Auto

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Skavis, May 8, 2020.

  1. Skavis

    Skavis Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
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    Location:
    London Ontario Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    Hi Everyone,

    I was hoping someone could assist me in finding a solution? Nothing I can find on the internet is looking promising, so I am hoping someone here has more knowledge or options than what I was able to find.
    This year I purchased a 2019 Toyota Prius Tech edition AWD with the 11.6 touchscreen. Is there ANY option to get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay into this vehicle? I am open to suggestions including replacing the screen and parts etc…
    Price is of no concern at this time. Looking for ALL options here.
    (please PLEASE do not just reply "no") It isn't helpful at all. If you know EXACTLY why... that would be more helpful.

    Thank you kindly,
    - Skavis
     
  2. thomassster

    thomassster Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    the base model has your typical toyota audio system wiring but the 11.6" screen is quite different. The 2020 version Prius I believe got carplay, not sure about android auto. but wondering if you can swap your system with that system.
     
  3. 18GolfCart4

    18GolfCart4 Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I've posted on here before about this, and even recently (July 2020) asked the dealer yet again about this for our 2018 Prius 4.

    As for "OEM", as of now, it seems the only way to get OEM Apple Carplay/A. Audio functionality for this screen would be to replace the entire unit for one from a 2020 model, as it's all about newer vs. older entune (the older entune on 2019 and older Prius cannot be flashed to the newer version). And when you consider that the newer 2020 head unit costs over SIX GRAND, it would be expensive. When I asked the Toyo service manager about doing the swap and if there were any compatibility issues, he looked at my like I was crazy... and then said he was unsure, b/c there's been no one insane enough to drop that kind of money to do the swap.

    As for aftermarket, there are a couple of companies that make modules you can wire in (requires removing parts of the dash) that produce a screen overlay on the OEM screen. But frankly those don't interest me because I like to keep everything with a "factory" look - I don't care to have external wires I have to hide, or after market buttons taped to the footwells/dash, etc.
     
  4. thomassster

    thomassster Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    I'm assuming the '18 prius 4 is similar to your non-jbl base model head unit. The 2020 Carplay head unit has different wiring than your previous models. You are going to have to figure out what the new colors of the wiring. Even Crutchfield does not have this info available yet of switching out 2020 headunits with aftermarket. If you are knowledgable with car audio, it may be doable. Usually once Crutchfield and the aftermarket world figures out the new wiring, then you have people selling their old unit for aftermarket stuff. Until then, you probably won't find a reasonable price 2020 headunit.

     
  5. 18GolfCart4

    18GolfCart4 Junior Member

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    2018 Prius
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    THIS is what I've been wondering about for a long time ("The 2020 Carplay head unit has different wiring than your previous models"). Thanks for the info.
     
  6. wmo168

    wmo168 Member

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  7. Skavis

    Skavis Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    Posting an update to help anyone interested. I ended up trading in my fully loaded 2019 for a base 2022 and I don't regret it one bit... Well maybe the heated steering wheel. The smaller screen is far more user friendly and of course I now have carplay AND Android auto. I searched far and wide and no option was available and still isn't. I officially can't recommend the 2019 tech edition Prius. Wireless charging was nice but my phone flew off on any slight turn. No phone connection obviously being the biggest issue and the interface of the massive screen was a joke. Climate control was anxiety inducing. Happy with the base 2022. Very happy.

    Sorry for anyone in the same boat I was in hoping to get phone connectivity on the 2019 large screen. Sad waste of a beautiful screen.
     
    reptilian and RojaRosie like this.
  8. reptilian

    reptilian New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Just wondering if anyone has managed to get Carplay or Android Auto working on a 2019 Prius (Limited)?
    I went down that rabbit hole so far, calling Toyota tech support & more, finally gave up and traded for a '23 Prius XLE (no regrets).
    Android Auto is a game changer.
    But had my 2019 USB port actually supported Carplay or Android Auto, I would have kept the car and used a magic box on the USB port or something to at least make use of the screen. Last I saw, there were several firmware updates to the 2019 Prius large screen infotainment system, but NONE of them added Carplay support. If they had done that with one simple update, I might still have that car.
    That said, the '23 Prius is much better in almost every way: sporty and modern, less storage.
    Is there any 2019 Prius in existence that has Carplay or Android Auto (via firmware update)?

    2023 Toyota Prius XLE, Guardian Gray
    2019 Toyota Prius Limited, Premium JBL Package, Electric Storm Blue (traded)
    2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Smoked Quartz Metallic (traded)
    2010 Toyota Prius IV, Solar Roof Package, Blue Ribbon Metallic (traded)
    2006 Toyota Prius, Package #8, Classic Silver Metallic (sold)
    2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, Liquid Silver Metallic (traded)
    1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Black (traded)
     
  9. Chillybox

    Chillybox New Member

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    Prime Advanced
    No firmware upgrades will contain the ability to turn on CarPlay as the hardware the 11.6 display used to support Apple Carplay is different to ones without it.
     
    reptilian likes this.
  10. Drakxyfly

    Drakxyfly Member

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    Anyone tried just using a simple $40 android Auto/car play box? There are tons on Amazon and eBay
     
    reptilian likes this.
  11. reptilian

    reptilian New Member

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    That's basically the same question I had. But a $40 or any price Auto/car play box will not work if the 11.6 screen firmware updates never added CarPlay to begin with (those magic boxes usually require CarPlay).

    If someone is out there using a magic box with the 11.6 screen (on a 2019), I'd be curious to hear about it!
     
  12. reptilian

    reptilian New Member

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    Thanks, that's basically the confirmation I'm looking for. Such a missed opportunity, all those magic boxes that would have made the screen more useful.
     
    DarkMaughdrill likes this.